The castle at Old Sarum was built around 1070 by William the Conqueror. It is in ruins today but much of the iron age earthworks are intact and the views from the top are incredible. This would have been the drawbridge and you can see paradivers in the distance.

This was the Cathedral at Old Sarum. It has since been replaced by the new Cathedral in Salisbury that you can see from the ramparts. All that is left of the original Cathedral is an outline of the foundation . . . and terrific views.

Chateau of Villandry is the last of the great chateaux of the Loire built during the Renaissance in the Loire Valley. It was modified over the years until 1906 when Dr. Joachim Carvallo and his American wife Ann Coleman bought and restored it to its Renaissance grandeur. The Carvallo family still own it and are continuing renovations and improvements. If you time your visits several years apart, you can see the changes. It's fun to watch the transformation. Many people go to Villandry to visit the gardens and will tell you to skip the château. Don't listen to them. The château is wonderful and gets better each year. Furthermore, the view of the gardens from the top of the tower is magnificent. Then, after you climb down from the tower, visit the gardens and enjoy them too. You can easily spend a full day at Villandry.

A formidable château in the Perigord, Château de Fénelon has been passed back and forth between English and French ownership. It has been under French ownership since June 23, 1375 and is currently owned by the family Delautre. Several movies have been made here and the setting is sublime on a hill out in the wild countryside.

The manor house and gardens are set on a hill overlooking the Vézère Valley so you have stunning view all around. We were there in late September and there were still a lot of flowers blooming. I can only imagine how lovely it is in the summer.